Automatic pie apparatus

ABSTRACT

An automatic pie forming apparatus for individual fruit pies which are produced in a continuous in-line system. The apparatus includes an arrangement for providing a continuous strip of dough to a number of individual pie molds moving in a continuous loop. The strip of dough is fed into the molds to be filled, formed, trimmed, and a pie is dispensed automatically and positioned to be delivered to the cooking facility. The apparatus automatically provides the forming, trimming, and dispensing of the individual filled pies.

llnite States Patent [191 Tobey et al.

[ Jan.1,1l974 [5 AUTOMATIC PtE APPARATUS [75] Inventors: Hubert E.Tobey, Milltown; John W. Hood, East Brunswick; Dee L. Irvin, Moonachie,all of NJ.

[73] Assignee: International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation,Nutley, NJ.

22 Filed: Apr. 27, 1972 211 Appl. No.: 248,319

[52] U.S. Cl 99/450.6, 425/298, 425/121, 425/127 [51] Int. Cl ..A21c9/06, A2lc 9/08,A21c 11/00 [58] Field of Search 99/353, 354, 450.2,Q9/4503, 450.6, 430; 425/298, 112, 121, 122, 127, 129

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,855,867 10/1958 Zeitlin99/450.6

3,394,646 7/1968 Cunningham et 425/298 X 3,095,832 7/1963 Evans 99/450.63,112,713 [2/1963 Jahn 99/450.6

Primary ExaminerEdward L. Roberts Assistant ExaminerAlan I. CantorAttorneyC. Cornell Remsen et al.

[57] ABSTRACT An automatic pie forming apparatus for individual fruitpies which are produced in a continuous in-lin system. The apparatusincludes an arrangement for providing a continuous strip of dough to anumber of individual pie molds moving in a continuous loop. The strip ofdough is fed into the molds to be filled, formed, trimmed, and a pie isdispensed automatically and positioned to be delivered to the cookingfacility. The apparatus automatically provides the forming, trimming,and dispensing of the individual filled pies.

11 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures AUTOMATIC PIE APPARATUS CROSS REFERENCE TORELATED APPLICATION This application is related to the application of H.E. Tobey et a1. Ser. No. 248,570, filed Apr. 28, 1972. The assignee ofthis cross referenced application is the same as the instantapplication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In general, this invention relates toautomatic pie apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus forautomatically producing individual type fruit pies.

The equipment to which the apparatus relates is generally in the fieldof small fruit pies which are made by in-line automatic equipment andfed to a fryer or other type cooking arrangement. The systems availableaccording to the prior art require a number of personnel to assist inthe feeding of the dough, in the trimming, and removal of the pie fromthe molds, and in reclaiming of the excess dough. Further, the previousreclaiming methods were such that the removed portion could not bereadily used again without further kneading which produced additionalwaste.

Another requirement is that the equipment must reach speeds wherein thepies can be produced at a rate of approximately 80 or more per minutewith troublefree' operation A minimal of operator assistance to keep theline in continual operation is desired, since the product which hasbecome known as the individual fried pie having an iced coating andfruit filling could not be economically accomplished at a price whichwould be acceptable to the consuming public.

The apparatus desired, therefore, is an automatic pie moldingarrangement which overcomes the deficiencies of the prior systems andmay be operated in an efficient, continuous manner with minimalattending personnel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to produce anautomatic pie apparatus for use in an in-line system.

Another object of this invention is to produce a pie molding arrangementwhich produces individual filled pie products in a continuous manner.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a continuoussystem for producing individual pies by an automatic arrangement thatrequires minimal operator assistance and whereby waste from the moldedproduct is, for all practical purposes, eliminated.

According to the broader aspects of the invention there is providedautomatic pie apparatus including means for continuously supplying astrip of dough, means for molding the dough into individual filled fruitpie products, and means in the apparatus to assist in removing theproducts from the mold and for delivering them to a cooking arrangement.

According to features of the invention there is provided a uniquecutting arrangement, pie mold configuration, cam track control means forthe pie mold, dough trimming arrangement, dough reclaim means, and piemold removal means cooperatively coupled to insure trouble-freeoperation and removal of the product from the equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing objects and features ofthe invention will be more readily understood if reference is made to 2the description of a preferred embodiment in connection with thefollowing drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the automatic pie apparatus positioned in acontinuous in-line system according to the invention;

FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate the individual pie molds and the means formoving them in the system;

FIG. 4 illustrates in greater detail the pie molding means for producingthe individual pie products; and

FIG. 5 illustrates in greater detail a rearward view of a portion of thepie molding line illustrated in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2the overall automatic pie apparatus according to the invention will bedescribed. It should be understood that certain driving chains and theparticular motor drive arrangements which control the various pulleysand conveying belts are not all illustrated for purposes of clarity inthe drawings, otherwise the drawings would become too cluttered withlines and chain drives and prevent easy understanding of the inventivefeatures of the apparatus. A particular means for driving individualones of the belts and pulleys are believed known in the art, and furtherillustration or discussion of the particular means desired to implementthe drive of the feeds or drive sprockets will not be described, unlessit is felt that they provide additional uniqueness or follow in thegeneral description of the apparatus itself.

A dough auger feed system 10 is shown having a pair of augers ll drivenby a motor drive system 12 for feeding dough through the nozzle 13 in acontinuous manner. The augers ll feed dough which has been suitablykneaded and is in a proper condition for molding and cooking. The dough14 is moved up the dough feed ramp 15 which may be driven by motor 16,and mounted on a movable platform 17 which also supports the dough feedramp 15. The support platform 17 and motor 16 are not illustrated inFIG. 2 for the sake of clarity.

The dough 14 is fed into a dough shaping apparatus 18. The apparatusincludes a belt 19 mounted about a pair of pulleys 20,21 either of whichmay be driven. The dough is shaped between pulleys 20 and 22 to beginits formation into a dough strip 24. A flour cluster 25 is positionedatop pulley 20 to permit flour to be placed into the dough shapingapparatus to prevent sticking of the dough on the pulleys utilized inshaping of the dough into a continuous strip. A plurality of pulleys25,26 cooperate to further form the strip dough 24, which dough is thencarried along by the pie molding input conveyor 27. The continuous doughstrip is carried by the conveyor 27 to the pie molding means 40. Thedetailed description of the means 40 will be more specifically describedin connection with the FIGS. 3-5, and all its elements will not benumbered in connection with FIG. 1 to simplify the understanding of theoverall system. The pie molding means 40 is mounted by an adjustablefloor mount frame 41 and positioned so that its output conveyor 42 feedsa channeling conveyor 28, which is of the type as disclosed in the crossreferenced application. The channeling conveyor 28 feeds theindividually formed pies 29 to the in-feed conveyor 30 in a uniformoblique line 31 which is coupled to the cooking arrangement or fryer 32.

The dough 24 is passed in a continuous strip over the individual moldsof molding means 40. The molds are driven in a continuous loop aboutaxis 37,38 in the frame 41. A fruit filler assembly 39 is positioned tothe right of a dough cutting roller 33. The fruit filler assembly 39includes a fruit dispensing pipe 35 which is connected to a fruit supplyand pump. The supplied fruit is pumped to the trough 34 for filling ofthe individual pies to be formed in the molding apparatus. A nozzle 36of the filler assembly 39 dispenses in each pie mold passing thereundera controlled amount of fruit. The filler assembly 39 with a controlfruit dispensing nozzle are standard and well known in the art. Furtherdiscussion in connection with dispensing of the fruit into theindividual pie molds will not be undertaken in the specification.

Referring now to FIGS. 3a and 3b a detail of the pie mold and drivingarrangement according to the preferred embodiment is illustrated. Eachindividual pie mold 43 comprises a movable top portion 44 having a knob45 which is surrounded by a plastic sleeve for riding on the cam tracksto be discussed hereinafter. The top portion of the mold is pivotallyconnected by pin 46 to the bottom portion 47 of the mold. The topportion 44 of the mold also contains both left and right hand hinge barknives 48. When the top portion 44 is closed, by the knob 45 riding onthe cam surface, it closes to the position illustrated in dashed lines49. The retaining plate 41a of frame support 41 retains the bottomportion 47 in the position illustrated until the proper location in theapparatus 40 is reached, wherein the bottom portion 47 is allowed todrop in order to dispense the formed product.

The frame 41 also includes a rear portion 41b and a center support plate41c which supports the individual mold mounting plates 50. The plate 50contains a pair of chain mounts 51 for mounting the drive chains 52,53.The drive chains 52,53 are driven by sprocket wheels 54,55 mounted aboutshaft 56 in frame 41,411). This shape is at either axis 37 or 38 ofFIG. 1. The continuous loop drive is provided by a drive sprocket 56coupled by means 57 to a motor drive means not shown. This powers thecontinuous loop pie molding arrangement by virtue of the connectionthrough shaft 56 and the drive sprockets 54,55 engaging drive chains52,53 which in turn are coupled to each of the pie molds 43 to move themin the direction illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the pie molding means is illustratedinan enlarged manner to detail the major elements of the system in a frontand partial rear view. The input conveyor 27 feeds the continuous stripof dough 24 into the arrangement. The series of pie molds 43 are mountedon the chain drives 52,53, and chain 52 driven in a continuous loop bymeans of drive sprocket wheels 54,58. The frame 41 including the frontretaining plate portion 41a support the molds 43. The molds are moved ina continuous loop and the dough 24 is laid across the mold such that therotatably mounted cutting roller 33 cuts the dough 24 along the knifeedge 48 so that the dough may be folded over in sandwich fashion. Afruit filling 59 is placed on the dough at the point indicated in FIG. 1and before the cam close track 60 causes the upper portion 44 of mold 43to close. The closing cam acts on the mold knob 45 to cause it to followthe contour of the cam, and by virtue of the pressure exerted bypressure roller 61 to completely seal the edge of the thereby formedfilled pie.

The pressure roller 61 is mounted to the frame 41 on a shaft 62, andpressure is applied to the roller 61 by spring 63 which is fixed to therear support 41b of the frame and biased to press the individual moldtops down ward to cause a serrated seal of the dough by edges of themold being forced together. Support 64 is positioned to limit thelateral movement of shaft 62. A dough trim assembly including anX-shaped trimmer 65 is positioned to slide along the top surface 66 ofthe molds. Each of the four X-shaped surfaces 65a,b,c,d stepsequentially into the spaces between the mold patterns defined by theknife edges 48 to cause the drop off of the excess dough 67 trimmed fromthe mold edges.

The excess dough 67 is caught by the reclaim conveyor 68 to carry thedough back to the auger feed system 10, thereby eliminating waste of thetrimmings 67. A space is provided between front retaining plate 41a and41e to permit the dropping of the excess dough forced from around thesides of the mold onto the conveyor by the trimmer 65. The trimmingassembly further includes a pivotally mounted bar 69 which is pivotallymounted to shaft 62 and spring loaded by leaf spring 70 to force thetrimmer in the downward direction. Since the trimmer is fabricated ofanylon or other plastic member, the legs 65a,d, as shown, slide acrossthe top 66 of the mold and the leg 65d drops onto knife edge space andforces the excess dough down, then the trimmer pivots about leg 65d androtates so that legs 65d and 65c ride onto the following mold. Thisrepeats continuously with the trimmer rotating clockwise when viewed inFIG. 5, the molds moving toward the left side of FIG. 5.

After the mold has been trimmed, the cam track 71 is engaged by the moldknob 45 and the mold top portion opens. The dropping off of the top ofthe mold is supported by drop off support cam 72 which prevents a hardslam down of the mold. After the mold leaves the front retaining plateportion 41e, the bottom portion 47 drops to release the individuallyformed pies 29 which are caught by pie drop conveyor 73. It shouldbepointed out that the pie dough in this form cannot be easily droppedfrom the mold since the dough is essentially tacky in this state, ameans to assist the release of the dough from the mold is required. Themeans provided is an air nozzle 74 which is coupled to an air pressuresource not shown. The air nozzle 74 is positioned to direct a stream ofair along the dropped edge of the mold to assist the droppjng oftheformed pics 29 from the mold onto the pie drop conveyor 73. The conveyor73 is coupled to deliver the pies 29 to the output conveyor 42. Betweenconveyor 73 and 42 is a pair of conical rollers 75 rotatably mounted onshaft 76 to insure the center positioning of the pies 29 moving from theconveyor 73 to the output conveyor 42.

In summary, FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the pie molding means portionaccording to the invention. The individual molds 43 are moved in-acontinuous loop about the sprocket wheels which are mounted to the frame41. A continuous strip of dough 24 is placed on the molds and thecutting roller 43 slits the dough along knife edges 48 of the mold. Ameasured quantity of fruit filler is placd on the mold and the topportion of the mold is closed to form the pie 29. The top mold portion44 is closed by means of camming surface 60, and the edges of the moldare squeezed together by means of a pressure roller 61. The excess dough67 is forced from the edges of the mold by means of a trimmer 65 whichslides along the closed top of the mold and sequentially positions eachof its legs into the spaces between the molds to cause the dropping ofthe excess dough onto a reclaiming conveyor 68. The excess dough isreturned to the original feed system 10. A cam opening track 72 thencauses the opening of the top of the mold to return the mold into itsopen condition and a support cam 72 catches the top of the mold so thatit opens in a gradual manner. After the bottom portion of the mold 47passes the front retaining plate 41c it drops to permit, in conjunctionwith the air supplied by a directed air nozzle 74, the dropping of theformed and filled pie product 29 onto the catch conveyor 73. Thisconveyor then is connected to the output conveyor to deliver the pies tothe channeling conveyor, the infeed conveyor and finally to the cooker.

As described in the foregoing specification and as illustrated in thedrawings, there is provided an automatic pie apparatus in which acontinuous strip of dough is fed to a molding means which causesindividual pie products to be formed and dispensed, and the dispensedproducts are then removed for delivery to the cooker and finalprocessing. The described system provides in an economical and withminimal human assistance, a continuous system which enables productionof filled pie products on the order of 80 pieces per minute in acontinuous in-line system.

While we have described above the principles of our invention inconnection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood thatthis description is made only by way of example and not as a limitationto the scope of our invention as set forth in the objects thereof and inthe accompanying claims.

We claim:

1. Automatic pie apparatus comprising the combination of:

means to produce a continuous strip of dough;

a plurality of molding means having two parts positioned to receive saiddough and to enable depositing of a pie filling therein;

first cam means to cause one part of each of said mold means to enclosesaid filling and form an individual filled pie product, and said onepart of each of said mold means is pivotally connected to said otherpart, and said one part includes knife edge sides to facilitate thecutting and subsequent folding of said dough;

means positioned to trim the excess dough from said closed mold, and piecatching means positioned below said other part to catch the pie productwhen the dropping of said other part occurs;

means to catch the excess dough and return it directly to said meansproducing said continuous strip of dough;

second cam means positioned to open said one part,

and third cam means to assist said one part to return to its initialcondition;

means positioned to permit the dropping of another part of each of saidmolds and enable removal of said individual filling pie product, andmeans to assist the removal of said product from each of said moldingmeans; and

means for feeding said product to a cooking means.

2. In automatic pie equipment having means for providing a continuousstrip of dough, apparatus comprising:

a plurality of pie molds driven in a continuous loop and positioned toreceive said dough, each mold comprising displaceable top and bottomportions;

first cam means for closing said top portion after a filling has beendeposited to form a pie between said top and bottom portions;

pressure roller means for exerting a predetermined pressure on saidclosed mold;

a dough trimming assembly coupled to said pressure roller for removingthe excess dough from the edge of each mold;

second cam means for opening the top portion of each mold; and

means to assist the removal of the pie when the bottom portion ofsaidmold is displaced from a first position to a second position.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said trimming assemblyincludes a spring load X-shaped trimmer.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means to assist theremoval of the pie from said molds includes a directed air stream.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the top portion of eachsaid mold has knife edge sides to facilitate cutting of said dough by acutting roller positioned forward of said first cam means.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 including third cam means toassist in the gradual opening of said top mold portion.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 including pie catching meanspositioned to catch the pie removed from said mold, and means forcentering said pie during subsequent conveyance.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 including means to catch thetrimmed excess dough and return said trimmed dough directly to saidmeans providing the continuous strip of dough.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said plurality of moldsare attached to and driven along by a continuous chain link mounted onsprocket wheels rotatably mounted in the frame of the apparatus.

10. Automatic pie apparatus to produce fruit filled pie productssuitable for frying comprising:

means to produce a continuous strip of dough;

a plurality of molds, each having displaceable top and bottom parts,moved in a continuous loop and positioned to receive saiddoughand toenable depositing of a filling;

first cam means to cause one part of each of said molds to close andform the filled pie products;

means to exert pressure on said closed molds and to trim the excessdough from the edges of said molds;

second cam means to open said one part of each of said plurality ofmolds, and third cam means cooperatively positioned to insure gradualreturn of said one part to its open position;

means to permit displacement of another part of each of said molds toenable removal of said pie products; and

means positioned to assist the removal of the pie products from themolds.

ll. Automatic pie apparatus comprising in combination:

of said molds;

second cam means for opening the top portion of said mold; and

air means to assist the removal of the pie when the bottom portion ofsaid mold drops from a first position to a second position to enabledispensing said product onto a conveying means.

1. Automatic pie apparatus comprising the combination of: means toproduce a continuous strip of dough; a plurality of molding means havingtwo parts positioned to receive said dough and to enable depositing of apie filling therein; first cam means to cause one part of each of saidmold means to enclose said filling and form an individual filled pieproduct, and said one part of each of said mold means is pivotallyconnected to said other part, and said one part includes knife edgesides to facilitate the cutting and subsequent folding of said dough;means positioned to trim the excess dough from said closed mold, and piecatching means positioned below said other part to catch the pie productwhen the dropping of said other part occurs; means to catch the excessdough and return it directly to said means producing said continuousstrip of dough; second cam means positioned to open said one part, andthird cam means to assist said one part to return to its initialcondition; means positioned to permit the dropping of another part ofeach of said molds and enable removal of said individual filling pieproduct, and means to assist the removal of said product from each ofsaid molding means; and means for feeding said product to a cookingmeans.
 2. In automatic pie equipment having means for providing acontinuous strip of dough, apparatus comprising: a plurality of piemolds driven in a continuous loop and positioned to receive said dough,each mold comprising displaceable top and bottom portions; first cammeans for closing said top portion after a filling has been deposited toform a pie between said top and bottom portions; pressure roller meansfor exerting a predetermined pressure on said closed mold; a doughtrimming assembly coupled to said pressure roller for removing theexcess dough from the edge of each mold; second cam means for openingthe top portion of each mold; and means to assist the removal of the piewhen the bottom portion of said mold is displaced from a first positionto a second position.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein saidtrimming assembly includes a spring load X-shaped trimmer.
 4. Theapparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means to assist the removalof the pie from said molds includes a directed air stream.
 5. Theapparatus according to claim 4 wherein the top portion of each said moldhas knife edge sides to facilitate cutting of said dough by a cuttingroller positioned forward of said first cam means.
 6. The apparatusaccording to claim 5 including third cam means to assist in the gradualopening of said top mold portion.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 6including pie catching means positioned to catch the pie removed fromsaid mold, and means for centering said pie during subsequentconveyance.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 7 including means tocatch the trimmed excess dough and return said trimmed dough directly tosaid means providing the continuous strip of dough.
 9. The apparatusaccording to claim 8 wherein said plurality of molds are attached to anddriven along by a continuous chain link mounted on sprocket wheelsrotatably mounted in the frame of the apparatus.
 10. Automatic pieapparatus to produce fruit filled pie products suitAble for fryingcomprising: means to produce a continuous strip of dough; a plurality ofmolds, each having displaceable top and bottom parts, moved in acontinuous loop and positioned to receive said dough and to enabledepositing of a filling; first cam means to cause one part of each ofsaid molds to close and form the filled pie products; means to exertpressure on said closed molds and to trim the excess dough from theedges of said molds; second cam means to open said one part of each ofsaid plurality of molds, and third cam means cooperatively positioned toinsure gradual return of said one part to its open position; means topermit displacement of another part of each of said molds to enableremoval of said pie products; and means positioned to assist the removalof the pie products from the molds.
 11. Automatic pie apparatuscomprising in combination: a plurality of pie molds, each moldcomprising displaceable top and bottom portions; first cam means forclosing said top portion after a filling has been deposited to form apie between said top and bottom portions; pressure roller means forexerting a predetermined pressure on said closed mold; a dough trimmingassembly coupled to said pressure roller for forcing the excess doughfrom the edge of said molds; second cam means for opening the topportion of said mold; and air means to assist the removal of the piewhen the bottom portion of said mold drops from a first position to asecond position to enable dispensing said product onto a conveyingmeans.